Research project · Quad Cities, Iowa and Illinois

Navigating climate challenges in the Quad Cities

An assessment by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Prairie Rivers Network (PRN) and DPI of how climate change could affect the Quad Cities, with nature-based strategies for a healthier and more resilient future.

Funder: National Wildlife Federation
Partners: National Wildlife Federation, Prairie Rivers Network

Read the full report (PDF, 4.9 MB) →Open the flood map →

Cover of the report Navigating Climate Challenges in the Quad Cities — The report, published by NWF on April 16, 2024

About the assessment

The Mississippi River communities known as the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois are susceptible to flooding from several sources, including the Mississippi River, Illinois' Rock River and urban runoff. As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events such as severe flooding, wildfires, droughts and extreme heat are expected to increasingly affect the region's quality of life.

The assessment, conducted by NWF, PRN and DPI, used climate models to evaluate potential outcomes under different emissions scenarios. Its objective is to give Quad Cities residents insight into potential climate change impacts and to propose strategies for a healthier and more resilient future.

Climate change will affect all residents of the Quad Cities. Vulnerable populations, such as people with lower socioeconomic status, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), renters, people experiencing homelessness, immigrants and people with disabilities, are more likely to face significant health risks from heat and substantial property damage from flooding. Input from Quad Cities stakeholders shaped the assessment, so that the proposed nature-based solutions reflect community concerns and knowledge. The findings serve as a foundation for resilience discussions in the Quad Cities.

Aerial view of the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River

Photo: The Waterways Journal

The region

About the Quad Cities

The Quad Cities, home to nearly 400,000 residents in southeastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois, lie along the Mississippi River at its confluence with the Rock River. Relying on the Mississippi for manufacturing, commerce, transportation and recreation, the area is highly vulnerable to flooding, evidenced by record heights in 1993, 2019 and 2023. Despite this, the region's natural features, such as creeks, forests, wetlands and prairies, offer significant benefits for hazard risk reduction and community resilience.

Maps of land use and crop patterns in Rock Island and Davenport affected by a 100-year flood, without and with nature-based solutions

What we found

Major findings

We conducted flood simulations for daily timestamps and 100-year return period rainfall intensities over the Quad Cities to identify regions and land use features at risk. To protect these areas, we implemented innovative combinations of different nature-based solutions. The full report identifies and suggests various nature-based solutions that can be implemented in the region to safeguard against floods.

The Quad Cities Climate Assessment public input session on October 20, 2023: a presentation on decadal changes in flood inundation, the audience, and the project team

Working with the community

Stakeholder engagement

The initial findings of the assessment were presented to stakeholders, including mayors, municipal authorities and the general public. This engagement helped identify, and invest in, nature-based projects for risk mitigation, economic enhancement and wildlife conservation.

By informing local leaders and community members, the assessment aims to support strategies for long-term resilience, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations. Residents and local leaders were invited to sessions to review the draft assessment, give feedback and discuss implementation strategies.

Explore